Because of Us (My Best Friends Brother)

FOURTEEN | We Won

POV | Landon

Leaving the house today was harder than ever. Belle's flushed face consumed my mind as I drove. I laughed, maybe morning coffees and s*x need to be a more common occurrence. Once this contract was signed I'd have all the time in the world to make her moan. This damn contract, I shook my head, we finally won it. Ryan's ecstatic voice over the phone still rang in my ears, he was just as tired as me.

Day and night we did everything to please this damn guy, but the money that would be invested into the company was worth every minute. Soon we would reap the benefits of our hard work, the best one being, I'd have more time with Belle. Despite living under the same roof, this contract put distance between us.

I was happy she had Ethan, but with everything that had come from it, I couldn't ignore the jealousy that sat in the pit of my stomach. I knew nothing had happened, not until that night, yet the feeling churned inside.

I remember the next morning like it was yesterday. My mind reeled with the image of Belle and him. I couldn't sleep. The feeling likewise, walking down those stairs to see him in the kitchen light, head in his hands as he sat in the silence.

The moment I made my presence known, he shot up, as if a ghost stood before him. Fumbling with his hands, he stuttered, trying to find a connection between his words and his thoughts. I saw the struggle from a mile away. Part of me thought I'd caused it, part of me knew I did, so I sat beside him waiting for him to calm down.

Stumbling on his words I realised he was a lot like Belle, confused and uncertain of himself, of his own life, his own desires. It wasn't fair the decision I'd forced onto him without thinking, because all I was thinking of was pleasure. Not only mine, but Belle's.

That night I decided to take the weight off his shoulders, tell him we had to wait for Belle to come to us. Let him know he didn't need to overthink. Because the more he thought, the closer he got to a realisation I didn't think he even knew was possible. Ethan and Belle were friends, they had kept it like that despite every obstacle, until I came into the picture. Now there was only one thing holding me back from throwing him out of the damn house, a gut feeling.

I reminded myself of the feeling from that night as I pulled into work, calming myself with the conviction that I was right.

Walking into the building, I cleared my mind. Today was one to be celebrated. Ryan and I were about to sign a piece of paper we had been working towards for so long. In Ryan's mind, signing papers was something he hated, a hatred he'd gained from his father nonetheless. That's why I had to do this with him, and with a smile on my face.

Friends first, colleagues second. Some might say it should be the other way round, but not with Ryan and I.

Spirits seemed high in the building as I walked through to the elevator. Pressing the button to the top floor, I checked my watch, nine-thirty. I ran my hands through my hair before connecting them at my front. We had been preparing this contract for weeks, building a good rapport with the client every bloody day. Nerves were guaranteed as I made my way to Ryan's office.

Pushing open the door, he paced his room, suit jacket loose, phone to his ear. Hearing me enter, he stopped, a smile pulling across his lips as he said his goodbyes to whoever was at the other end. Pocketing his phone, he stepped towards me, embracing me in a victorious hug, a single pat on the back before he pushed me away.

Hands on my shoulders, holding me at arms length as he spoke. "You ready?"

"Fùck yes"

Thirty minutes later, a handshake and a stroke of a pen, the contract was signed. Ryan and I held our breath, watching Mr. Whittenbur exit the boardroom doors for a final time before looking down at the printed ink that sealed our victory. All our hard work, finally stamped with an old rich guy's name of approval. I knew I worked hard but it still felt good to hold it in my hands.

As if watching until the meeting was over, the doors burst open, Cam and Myles stumbling in with hopeful smiles. Ryan pushed the papers across the table, Cam caught them in his hand, flicking through the pages before howling and fisting the air. "Fùck yeah boys"

"s**t, really pulled it off" Myles added, looking down at the document impressed.

"Dinner and drinks for sure. I'll pick..." Cam started, pointing to Ryan with a wink "...your shout"

"Just pick somewhere that isn't a strip club" I laughed, pushing my hands into the front of my pants pockets.

Cam gave me a salute "Anything for the soon to be Mrs. Pierce"

I shook my head at him but I couldn't ignore the heat that rushed through me at his words 'Mrs. Pierce' I'd be lying if I said the thought hadn't crossed my mind countless times. A year ago I wouldn't have thought it to be possible, but now, Belle and I sharing a last name seemed right.

"Speaking of partners, I'd like to bring someone" scratching the back of his head awkwardly, Myles spoke, looking between the three of us.

Something Myles kept private was his love interests, after the last one not panning out too well, he took those endeavours separately. There was no bad blood between us, but after Belle, relationships were not something we discussed freely. So when his eyes met mine, I smiled. "Can't wait to meet her"

"I don't suppose you have a plus one?" Ryan added, crossing his arms over his chest looking in the direction of Cam who shrugged nonchalantly.

"The day I find a woman to tie me down is the day I die...what about Zoe?" This time Cam crossed his arms. A smug look on his face watching Ryan shift on his feet, him shooting daggers back in Cam's direction.

I couldn't help but laugh down at the ground, trying to stifle it with a fist. The idea of my best friend and my sister at first sounded like something out of a romantic comedy, taboo and unrealistic. But then I'd look at Belle and remember, the only reason I met her was because of my painfully stubborn little sis. That's exactly why I laughed. For months I had watched him chase her around, attempting to swerve around every single protest and demand.

Despite what she thought, my sister deserved the best, and Ryan had proved he was nothing less than just that. He'd worked hard, hell he still was, and one day soon I hoped he could finally crack the code that was Zoe.

If I'd learnt anything from Belle, it was that it wasn't easy falling into or admitting love. But good things don't come easy. The image of her filled my mind, the touch of her skin under my fingers, her smile, her breath, I loved it all. I craved it.

Right now I was missing it, the contract was done, signed. I wasn't going to waste another second away from the woman I love. Stepping to Ryan I gave him a pat on the shoulder "I'm off, let's see who asks Zoe to dinner first"

Ryan rolled his eyes but he didn't argue, we both full-well knew the moment Belle knew about the dinner, she was inviting Zoe. Cam and Myles choked on their laughs as I stepped between them and out the door, calling out behind me "I'll distract her for a few hours"

I barely even parked the car before I was running up the steps of our home, desperate to see her face.

Rushing inside, I was met with a smile as big as my own, Belle's eyes bright as she ran to me, jumping into my arms without hesitation. I pulled her close, lifting her off her feet to spin her body with mine. Her hair whipped around, falling over my own shoulder, arms wrapping tightly around my neck as mine circled her waist.

Content, happy in peaceful bliss, being home early for the woman I love for the first time in too long. The feeling of her soft lips skimming the skin of my neck as I let her feet touch the ground, pressing my hands firmly against her lower back, not letting any distance come between us.

"You're home early." She couldn't hide the excitement in her voice or eyes as they continued to sparkle. Despite the news this morning, and the excitement in her tone, she was still asking 'Did we win?'

"Earnshaw Enterprises is taking us out for a celebratory dinner" I lent down, pressing my mouth to hers. Attempting to share a kiss, only for our teeth to meet as we refused to let our smiles fade.

Belle flung her head back, letting her weight hang freely in my arms with a giggle as they clicked together. I watched, admiring the happiness bubbling within my love. Something I had definitely missed. Her body, her smile, everything. I had missed so much and I was ready to have it all. All of her.

Relishing in the moment at hand, I almost missed the presence off in the distance, leaning against the kitchen counter as they watched on. Pulling back from Belle, I helped her up, looking straight at Ethan as I stood straight. His eyes flicked between us, letting uncertainty fill his mind. A smile on his lips, yet I could see the same thing in him that I did that night. Belle may have answered with her body this morning, but it wasn't the answer he needed. I knew it as he reached for his keys.

"You're not getting out of this that easily" I stated, the seriousness behind my words which Ethan caught. His eyes glanced at the keys in his grasp for a moment before finding mine again.

Belle gasped, seemingly ignorant as she rushed to his side. Ripping the keys from his hand, dangling them above her head with a teasing smile, "You're as much a part of this as I am, we celebrate together, right Landon?"

"Right.." I agreed, slipping my hands into my front pockets, stepping closer "..I wouldn't have been able to focus on this contract without you being here for Belle. I would've gone crazy if I'd known she was alone. I value what you did for me, for us, so you're coming. Understood?"

Ethan smiled, nodding in agreement. Belle squealed in response as she jumped into his arms for a forced hug that made me chuckle. That same gut feeling returned, and with the look in Ethans eyes, I no longer had a single doubt.